As you get older, memories become even more important

With the summer holidays approaching, our latest session at a care home in Sandiway was made even more special by the beautiful weather, allowing everyone to gather outside in the sunshine.

As it was the final session before the summer break, we welcomed a group of girls from a local school for their last visit of the term. We began by chatting about everyone's plans for the holidays before singing Summer Holiday together, creating a joyful atmosphere that brought smiles to faces young and old.

During the session, we invited the girls to share some music that they enjoy listening to. They chose a new Ariana Grande track, introducing the residents to something many of them had never heard before. It was a lovely opportunity for the young people to share a little of their world and for everyone to enjoy discovering something new together.

The exchange continued in the opposite direction when another resident, Helen, began singing Frère Jacques. The girls immediately recognised it from learning French at school, and before long everyone was singing together. This naturally led to a conversation about Bastille Day, which had recently been celebrated, creating another wonderful opportunity for different generations to connect through music, language and shared learning.

The most memorable moment came at the end of the session, when Helen, aged 91, shared some of her own treasured memories with the girls. Helen spoke about raising eight children with her husband, although she also gently shared the sadness of losing one child in infancy and later losing a daughter to cancer. Despite these heartbreaks, her reflections centred on the happiness of family life and the memories they created together.

She vividly recalled packing up her large family each summer to go camping in a big, wide-berth tent. They would travel in a Bedford van affectionately nicknamed "Betty" - a former milk delivery van that became the family's holiday vehicle. As Helen described those adventures, it was easy to imagine the laughter, excitement and togetherness that filled those summer trips.

Helen then offered the girls some heartfelt advice that left everyone quietly moved. She explained that as you grow older, your memories become even more precious and remarkably vivid. She encouraged them to enjoy their summer, spend time with the people they love and, above all, make memories.

It was a simple but powerful message that beautifully illustrated the value of intergenerational connection. Throughout the session, music acted as a bridge between generations—from a contemporary pop song chosen by the girls, to a traditional French nursery rhyme remembered by a resident—showing how sharing songs and stories can spark conversation, curiosity and meaningful relationships.

The session ended with smiles, conversation and a renewed appreciation that while time passes, the memories we create can remain with us for a lifetime. It was a fitting way to end the term, leaving both the residents and the girls with new memories of their own to treasure over the summer.